TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any necessary subsequent amendments, with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation to accept and expend grant funding in an amount not to exceed $53,790 for the 2022 Dodgers Dreamteam Program, formerly the Dodgers Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) Program, including the acceptance of funding for park field maintenance and umpire fees, along with in-kind contributions, for youth baseball and softball for the 2022 summer season; and
Increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department by $53,790, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested for the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PRM) to enter into an agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), to accept and expend grant funding for the 2022 Dodgers Dreamteam Program (Dreamteam Program). Formerly known as the Dodgers RBI Program, the Dreamteam Program is a sports-based youth development program that uses sports to provide critical resources and services to underserved communities.
The Dreamteam Program focuses on providing an inclusive, barrier-free sports-based youth development program to deliver programs, services, and resources that address basic needs, education, and health. The program’s goals include increasing participation of underrepresented groups and creating an environment that fosters social and emotional learning opportunities.
PRM has applied for and been awarded this grant from LADF since 2017. To date, the grant funding has assisted PRM in providing baseball and softball programs to over 2,500 Long Beach youth between the ages of 5 through 18. Although the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program returned in 2021 to support 828 youth softball and baseball players at 23 City of Long Beach (City) locations.
For the 2022 summer season, LADF has awarded PRM grant funding in the amount of $53,790, along with in-kind contributions, to support 924 youth softball and baseball players at 24 Long Beach locations. The grant funding will offset staffing to include: a Dodgers Dreamteam Coordinator, field maintenance costs, and umpire fees. Proposed in-kind contributions include: uniforms, equipment, recruitment and marketing flyers, location banners, educational and health resources, coach training, youth clinics, incentives, and giveaways. In addition to supporting softball and baseball games, the Dreamteam Program is aligned with both the City’s Strategic Plan for Youth and Emerging Adults goals by providing health, mentorship, physical and mental health benefits to its participants and with the PRM Strategic Plan by offering meaningful recreational programing and events aimed to increase youth participation.
To ensure the safety of program participants, the program will follow the LADF’s COVID-19 - Return to Play Protocols and will comply with the most current COVID-19 guidelines provided by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Anita Lakhani on March 8, 2022 and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on March 16, 2022.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on April 12, 2022, to enter into the agreement with Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation in advance of the start of the summer season.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive a grant award in the amount of $53,790 from the LADF for the 2022 Dreamteam Program, the grant award is currently unbudgeted. An appropriation increase is requested in the amount of $53,790 in the General Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department, offset by grant revenue. This grant does not require matching funds. This recommendation has no staffing impacts beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. This recommendation will result in a positive impact on jobs, although the exact number is unknown at this time.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
BRENT DENNIS
DIRECTOR
PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER